|
Chic
Feasts
By Amy E.
Lemen
You and your groom will certainly be the star attraction at
your wedding celebration, but don’t underestimate the power of a
good meal. There’s something about a sumptuous buffet feast and
celebrations that simply go together. The champagne is flowing,
the atmosphere is heady and lively, and all that excitement is
bound to work up an appetite.
Whether you’ve planned a formal sit-down dinner or silver trays
of hors d’oeuvres for your guests, make sure it’s food that you
will all remember. After all, just as there are trends in
fashion, there are trends in food. Remember when anything Asian
was the way to go at big celebrations? Or mashed potatoes served
in a martini glass?
“Ethnic and fusion foods are still hot, and so are comfort
foods,” says Nancy Hoffmann-Allison, president and founder of
Hoffmann & Company Catering in Austin. “But casual and tasty are
always the key.”
While it’s a caterer’s job to know what’s hot, make sure what
you’re choosing is what you like – and what your guests will
appreciate.
“The food and its presentation are a reflection of the bride and
groom’s style and taste, so don’t discount that,” says
Hoffmann-Allison. “People are making an effort to be there, so
you should make an effort, too.”
Keep it Simple
Given the proliferation of magazines like Organic Style, Real
Simple and Natural Home that crowd newsstands these days, it
should come as no surprise that many national trends involve
keeping things simple and unfussy. For example, “elegant comfort
food” like risottos and grilled meats and vegetables is high on
the list for weddings – especially those in the fall or winter
months.
Hoffmann-Allison says there are plenty of elegant food options
that are also simple to create. For example, she does salmon
croquettes with a mango-chipotle sauce, or grilled meats using
flavored woods like pecan and mesquite. Latin and Brazilian
foods are another popular theme, with traditional mojitos
to match.
“Some people don’t put much time into the beverages, but they’re
just as important,” she says. “Mojitos, daquiris and bubble teas
are very popular now, as is the classic martini.”
But caterers caution that you shouldn’t base your food
selections on the “dish of the moment.” Think about your own
tastes and then blend them with your guests. For example, if
you’re a vegetarian and your groom is a carnivore, chances are
that if you offer choices to suit both, your guests will be
happy, too.
Consider Your Budget
Hoffmann-Allison says the biggest mistake couples make when
choosing a caterer is looking only at the bottom line and not at
what they’re getting.
“Catering will always be more expensive than going out to a
restaurant, because the caterer is bringing the restaurant to
you,” she says. “Really think about your bids, because you do
get what you pay for.”
Hoffmann-Allison says catering budgets in Austin run about
$25-35 per person at the low end; $35-50 per person for
mid-range; and $50 per person and up at the high end, which
usually involves a sit-down dinner. The good news is there are
lots of ways to save money. The first – just like the food you
serve – is to keep it simple.
“If it’s a short event, you can go with cocktails and passed
hors de oeuvres,” she says. “Don’t seat everybody – when you do,
they’ll tend to sit at tables and renting fewer tables saves
money and gets people to mingle.”
Hoffmann-Allison also recommends having “fork-only” foods. That
move alone eliminates a lot of service ware – after all,
utensils cost money and are one of the reasons that seated meals
are so expensive.
However, the one most important area Hoffmann-Allison says
couples absolutely should not skimp on is service staff.
“It’s the one place where it will be the most noticeable,” she
says. “If someone’s standing in line for 30 minutes to get a
beer, that’s too long.”
Pick the Right Caterer
Finally, to ensure your wedding dinner is exactly what you’ve
imagined, ask the right questions of potential caterers when
deciding whom to use.
“Check your caterer’s track record,” advises Hoffmann-Allison.
“Ask how long they’ve been in business, get references and call
people.”
You should also verify that the caterer has a health
department-inspected kitchen, and ask to see the health
inspection record. If can’t show you their record, it’s time to
move on.
Insurance is another consideration. You don’t want to be liable
if someone on the catering staff happens to get injured at your
wedding. Make sure whoever you choose has coverage. Finally,
give your caterer as much information as you can to ensure an
accurate estimate.
“Lots of brides have never hired a caterer and they just want a
price, but the caterer needs a lot of details to give you a good
quote,” says Hoffmann-Allison.
Be honest about the estimated number of guests attending – and
who they are. If you’re inviting your husband’s-to-be college
football buddies who eat like there’s no tomorrow, your caterer
needs to know this to ensure there’s enough for everyone – and
that it’s in the budget.
Tips of the Trade
Consider the following tips when selecting a caterer:
• Get referrals from friends, family and other wedding
suppliers, including your reception location if they don’t offer
catering.
• Arrange to sample food and, if possible, attend a function
that they are catering to see set up, service and presentation
of food.
• Look at photographs of other weddings and events they have
catered. Pay attention to details.
• Get a specific contract that lists all the details, including
menu, services provided, equipment to be used, financial
information, dates, times and personnel to be included. It
should have a guarantee, cancellation policy and recourse if you
are unhappy.
 |
